Chapter 4
SOUTH FIRTH
The "South
Firth" fishermen hailed from the fishing towns situated along the north
and south coasts of the Firth of Tay. They had a herring season of their own in
the winter months, but during the year they followed the herring from the North
of Scotland right down to
Just south of the
Bass Rock, on which the Scottish Covenanters were imprisoned in terrible
conditions during the 16th century, lies the fishing
Between Eyemouth and Edinburgh, on the south side of the Firth of
Forth, are the fishing towns of Cockenzie, Port
Seton, Musselburgh and Fisherow. The
breath of God's Spirit swept across the folks from these places in a tremendous
way. At
As with other
places associated with the sea, Musselburgh and Fisherow
have long known the satisfaction and hardship of earning a living from the deep.
These towns were to know spiritual success during 1921. Quite a few men were
saved and on returning home they set revival fires burning that are still
alight today. From this area came Robert Fairnie.
This man of God has done a great work for the Lord in the North East of
Scotland and latterly in
Steam drifter entering Anstruther harbour.
(Picture: St. Andrews University)
On the north side
of the Firth of Forth there are four lovely small towns each with a long asociation with fishing. A number of men from these places
were converted at
Although he did not speak publicly, his life told for Jesus. Hughie was a gentleman for God, faithful to theiast, he knew his anchor gripped the Solid Rock.
An evangelical Congregational Church stands as a testimony for God, showing that men and women knew the blessing of the Lord in 1921. A Brethren Assembly meets in St. Monance with members attending whose parents were saved during the revival.
One Tuesday night
in November 1921, a lassie about seven years old came home from the Pittenweem school for her dinner.
Her mother sat in a chair crying. Her tears were not of sorrow, but of joy. She
had just received a letter from her husband John Hughes telling her that he had
been saved the previous weekend at
That lassie did not get much to eat that day, because her mother was so overwhelmed. Although only young, an impression was left on her heart and mind which she can recall with joy nearly sixty years later. When the fisherfolk returned to Pitenweem they brought back revival blessing with them.
Recently the
At Cellardyke the meetings were so large during the months of December 1921 and january 1922, that the only convenient place available was the Town Hall. Crowds attended the services which were conducted by local fishermen. Many responded to the forthright preaching of God's word.